[Press Release] Enlightenment of Congress on BBL, prayed for in a ritual

Quezon City – “Things are not black nor white. One cannot simply be pro-BBL or anti-BBL. Issues in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) are far more complex to be taken like this,” said Timuay Alim Bandara, a Teduray leader.

According to Timuay Bandara, there are a lot of serious issues and concerns raised by the indigenous peoples in Mindanao on the content of the BBL, particularly their identity and territory as non-Moro Indigenous Peoples. “We have consistently and persistently articulated these, to the Peace Panel then, and now in the Congress. The panel has failed us. Now, we hope the Congress will be enlightened to hear our voices, and pass a BBL that is truly inclusive, and just. We call for the full recognition and articulation of the indigenous peoples’ rights in the BBL.”

Timuay Bandara is one of the leaders who participated in a ritual to seek enlightenment for Congress as it resumes its deliberation on the proposed BBL. Tulak Bungkas Itungan, a ritual for enlightenment, was performed in front of the Batasang Pambansa by indigenous women and men, with Teduray flags, gongs, and chants. This was done a day before Congress deliberations resume on Monday.

“Dapat pantay na pagbalangkas ng batas, hindi maging tagapag-api ng mamayang minorya,” (“What should be drafted and passed is a fair and just law; not a law that would discriminate against the minority population.”) said Abay Rendaw Mosela, a Teduray Kemamal Keadan or Supreme Spiritual Leader who led the ritual. “We hope that the spirits will open and bless the minds and hearts of the members of the Congress as they deliberate the draft BBL.” Mosela added.

The indigenous peoples (IPs) are pushing that their identity as non-Moro indigenous peoples be recognized in the BBL. Non-Moro IPs are IPs who have not collectively (as a tribe) nor individually ascribed themselves as Bangsamoro. They assert that the unique identity of non-Moro IPs and all their rights arising from such identity should be respected at all times and under all conditions by the Bangsamoro Government, and this should be clearly articulated in the proposed BBL.

“Ang Batas ay para sa lahat hindi sa iilan lamang, at wala itong pinipili mahirap man oh mayaman, pantay na pagtingin sa karapatan ng tao para sa tutuong Kapayapaan,” said Jennevive Cornelio. (“The law is for everyone, and not just for some, and that it does not choose to work for the poor, or the rich alone; there should be an equal treatment of the rights of the people. Then there can be peace.”) Cornelio is one of the Teduray women leaders who played the gong during the ritual.

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